raised stone bed
#1
06-21-14, 08:23 PM
raised stone bed
Hi all,
I'm wanting to build a 1.5-2 ft. tall raised bed out of rough stone found on my property. It will be triangular in shape and not too large that I cannot reach all plants within. The ground is mostly even, but not perfectly... I was just planning on building the wall with the contours of the ground. Since these are rough stones, I'm planning to use concrete to permanently hold it all together. My question is, is it imperative that I dig a footer and fill it with either gravel or concrete, or can I just build it on the ground?
I'm wanting to build a 1.5-2 ft. tall raised bed out of rough stone found on my property. It will be triangular in shape and not too large that I cannot reach all plants within. The ground is mostly even, but not perfectly... I was just planning on building the wall with the contours of the ground. Since these are rough stones, I'm planning to use concrete to permanently hold it all together. My question is, is it imperative that I dig a footer and fill it with either gravel or concrete, or can I just build it on the ground?
#2
06-22-14, 05:41 AM
Group Moderator
Yes, if you mortar the stones together you will need a footer. Without a footer the wall may sink unevenly into the ground and winter's freeze thaw cycles may cause the wall to crack. A dry stacked wall is able to move so it is able to tolerate not having a footer better. Unfortunately many of the field stones found in the mid-south don't stack easily.
#3
06-22-14, 09:16 AM
Thanks Pilot Dane!
I guess I was hoping since the bed is going to be low, I wouldn't need a footer.
Okay, which type of footer should I do? Gravel, concrete, or something else? And if I go with concrete, do I need to use any rebar?
I guess I was hoping since the bed is going to be low, I wouldn't need a footer.
Okay, which type of footer should I do? Gravel, concrete, or something else? And if I go with concrete, do I need to use any rebar?
#4
06-22-14, 02:59 PM
Group Moderator
You are basically building a 2' high retaining wall. Reading up on that will give you some idea. Personally I don't think it's a good idea for a raised bed since you are giving up so much space and reach distance to the wall's thickness.
